The above Ice Cream Scoop was made for a FedEx sales rep that is on the State Government Team!

above, Amaze Bold script font

above, Amaze Bold script font

Above, Cooper font

The above handle was special order, walnut with special colored wood. The shape is like the hard rock Maple handle. If you like the handle be sure to let me know and I can make this design in walnut for you!

I spent the last few days this week at Isle of Palm with my friends, together there were six of us. We had a big house with a pool that was one block off the beach. This house was huge and had 6 master suites.

Above picture – Blue Tips

We all enjoy eating oysters, so we ate oysters each night at different restaurants, Pearlz, Boathouse, etc. The above picture is Capers Blade oysters, these are elongated and are delicious.

I love all oysters but my favorite are Blue Tips, all with a little lemon, sauce and horseradish!

You might remember my post in early March about Carolyn Himes photographing Chef Rob Ruiz food for the Dining Out San Diego magazine, my post was San Diego Magazine. I am excited to write this post and grateful to Carolyn, Chef Rob Ruiz and all those at the Dining Out magazine that was involved in the process of the shoot and selecting this photograph, thank you! Carolyn emailed me late this evening to let me know that the Dining Out magazine is published as of this afternoon, her photograph, chef Rob Ruiz food and my Walnut cutting board is on the front cover!!Love it, Love it, Love it!!

After the rain stopped around lunchtime today I decided to hike along the north side of the mountain where the ferns cover the landscape. July on the mountain brings a sea of ferns in this areas where the ground stays moist. The forest floor has changed so much in the last 4 months but I especially love the sea of ferns that take over this time of year.

We only reached 63 degrees F yesterday but today we will be closer to 80 degree F. Not much sun to speak of yesterday, it rained all day and night and before it finished this morning we had slightly over 1 inch of rain.

“We love the things we love for what they are.” — Robert Frost

If you are interested in trading a few garden plants, check out my recent post, Plant Exchange.

Last Saturday afternoon I had a couple of hours and decided to take a hike into an area I had not hiked before and where the terrain is extremely steep. My hike took me across the mountain on the north side thru heavily covered areas of Mountain Laurel.

I have mentioned in other hiking post that I have been hunting for a cave that was used by soldiers during the revolutionary war and a revolutionary war grave site. There are historical records with articles talking about this cave and grave site. I continue make hikes across the mountain in my attempt to find both of these.

Soon I was standing at the top of a gorge that is about 1500 feet deep trying to figure out if I was going to be able to hike down, trying to find the best path down.

I could hear water running, maybe a small waterfall. After searching for a clearing so that I could look over the Mountain Laurel, I could finally get a look at the bottom of the gorge. I had not hiked down this gorge before but I was determined to get to the bottom.

Almost to the bottom, decide to snap a couple pictures.

It took me about 35 minutes to get to the bottom and it was worth my efforts.

Pair of huge white oak trees!

I checked my compass in the direct the creek was flowing to determine if I could follow the creek. It appears the creek is flowing south which should eventually take me down the mountain. I will continue to watch my compass so that I can easily make my way back to the house.

Animal bones, maybe a squirrel? Was it eaten by a fox, coyote, eagle, hawk, owl maybe?

Moss is growing all along this creek.

The water is crystal clear and cold.

There are several small waterfalls along this creek..

Can you spot the snail?

Moss and ferns growing on rocks.

This waterfall is about 20-25 feet tall.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for new and richer experience.” — Eleanor Roosevelt